INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Keith Terry Named New Assistant Dean

CLAS Faculty Receive Promotions

Five CLAS Faculty to Retire

Theater Alumnus to Open Broadway Play

CSIT Professor, Alumnus Present at Virtual Electronic Imaging Conference

Center of Design and Manufacturing Planned in Business Park

Visual Arts Student Wins International Design Contest

FSU Program Ranked 19th in Nation for Addictions Studies

Wildlife Program Ranked 5th in the U.S. for Value

Communication Department Hosts Anti-Bias Discussions and Day of Civility

Saku Featured in Anthology of Black Geographers

CSIT Department Hosts Virtual Programming Competition

Music Professor Produces Works During Pandemic

MAY 2021

VOLUME 1, NUMBER 24 Dr. Keith Terry of the Communication Department joined the CLAS Dean’s Office on March 3 as the new Assistant Dean. Dr. Terry’s focus in the office will be on curriculum matters, student learning outcomes assessment, and other special projects.

“Dr. Terry brings a diverse skill set and knowledge of the curricular process and all of the intricacies involved. His experience and dedication will be an asset to the Dean’s office and will benefit us in CLAS,” said Dean Hixson.

Keith began his career in a tenure-track position at the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) in 1989 as an instructor. He later took a leave of absence from there to pursue coursework for a Ph.D. at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Two years later, he returned to the Plains, finished his degree, and in 1992 became the chairperson of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication where he worked. He was eventually tenured and promoted through the ranks to full professor. Terry continued as a department-level administrator there until 2004 when he chose to return to full-time teaching to develop book projects he had been planning. After finishing three of those, he left UNK in 2013 to become the chairperson in the Department of Communication, Media and Languages at Morehead State University (MSU) in

Kentucky. Four productive years later as a tenured full professor, he left MSU to enter the for-profit world but soon found that he missed stimulating conversations and challenging projects. He decided that those were more valuable than any increase in pay and sought a return to academe. In 2019, he was hired as the chairperson of the Department of Communication at Frostburg State University.

When not on campus, Terry spends his free time running, cycling, hiking, woodcarving and renovating his home. He is currently finishing a complete remodel of a bathroom and the next project will be removing the wall separating the living room from the kitchen in his 1940s house. He says he enjoys these activities and finds them all very relaxing.

Congratulations to Dr. Terry on his new role!

CLAS Faculty Receive Promotions

Keith Terry Named New Assistant Dean

CLAS is pleased to announce that four faculty were recently promoted to the rank of Professor: Eric Moore (Physics and Engineering), David Puthoff (Biology), Matthew Ramspott (Geography), and Greg Wood (History). Five faculty were promoted to the rank of Associate Professor: Jill Buterbaugh (Nursing), Heather Cisneros (English and Foreign Languages), Holly Currie (Chemistry), Annie Danzi (Communication), and Guobin Xu (Computer Science and Information Technologies). Congratulations to all!

P A G E 2 I C L A S N E W S

Five CLAS Faculty Members Set to Retire The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences will be losing five of its faculty this spring, with the retirements of Peggy Biser (Chemistry), Judy Dieruf (Visual Arts), Steven Hartsock (Social Work), Harlowe Hodges (Visual Arts), and Greg Latta (Physics and Engineering).

Peggy Biser is retiring from the Department of Chemistry where she began teaching part-time in 1996, then became a full-time tenure track faculty member in 2005. She has been active in teaching at all levels of the chemistry curriculum, and has led the department in creating and sharing open-source educational materials to reduce student textbook costs. For many years, Peggy helped to mentor students preparing to enter pharmacy school, and she recently utilized her expertise to help develop a new pre-pharmacy concentration within the chemistry major. She has advised the FSU chapter of the Gamma Sigma Epsilon National Chemistry Honor Society since 2010, and previously served as advisor to the Student Members of the American Chemical Society. During her time at FSU, Peggy maintained an active research program related to pharmacological ethnobotany. Locally, she is an active member of the Western Maryland Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS). At the national level, she has been active in Summer Experiences for the Economically Disadvantaged (Project SEED), a program through the American Chemical Society that provides paid summer research internships for high school students in academic, government, and industry labs. She has been active in faculty governance, including service as a Faculty Senator, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee (2015-2016), and a member of the CLAS Curriculum Committee. Her contributions have made a lasting impact on the Chemistry Department, and Peggy will be deeply missed.

Judy Dieruf is retiring from the Visual Arts Department after forty years of teaching and service. She was instrumental in developing FSU’s first graphic design program. During her career, Judith supervised over one hundred internships in Baltimore, Washington, Pittsburgh, Ney York City, Hagerstown, and Cumberland. At the same time, she expanded the painting focus area and led a weekly Drawing Club for students and faculty. Judith led ten study abroad trips. She served three terms on Graduate Council and Distance Education Committees and served on CLAS Curriculum Committee, Assessment Committee, Equal Opportunity Committee, Festival of Africa Committee, Faculty Development and Sabbatical / Professional Research Leave Subcommittee, Honors Program (twelve years, granted honorary status), Summer School Committee, International Education Council, FSU Natural History Museum Board Member, AAUP Committee, and Library Committee. She was the recipient of the Alumni Award for Teacher of the Year and has an FSU Foundation scholarship established in her name and endowed by a former student. Her professionalism and collegiality will be greatly missed. Steven Hartsock is retiring from the Department of Social Work at the end of the Spring 2021. From 2006 through 2020, Dr. Hartsock has served as the department’s Director of Field Education, coordinating and overseeing internships for countless students over the years. In March 2020, the Western Maryland Social Work Caucus voted to honor Dr. Hartsock with a lifetime achievement award. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Hartsock did not receive this award until this past March. Dr. Hartsock has been engaged in the community, having served on the Administrative Appeals Committee for the City of Cumberland, the Community Sex Offender Task Force Committee, and the Sexual Offenders Management Team. He has also provided ongoing pro bono supervision to social work staff at Family Crisis Resource Center. Dr. Hartsock was recruited and became active as a Collaborating Investigator for the DSM-V Field Trials. Furthermore, he served several years as the Treasurer on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Forensic Social Workers. His campus service included serving on CLAS Curriculum Committee as well as multiple terms as Chair of the EEO committee for the University. Dr. Hartsock was a frequent presenter at national conferences, especially with the National Rural Social Work Conference. As a colleague, he was always a helpful and resourceful team member. His wit and wisdom will definitely be missed.

P A G E 3 I C L A S N E W S

Five CLAS Faculty Members Set to Retire Harlowe Hodges joined the Visual Arts Department in 2002 and is retiring after twenty years of teaching and service. Harlowe began at FSU teaching print graphic design and subsequently shifted towards teaching 2-D and 3-D foundations and Visual Imagery courses and part of the department’s core curriculum and GEP offerings. He also taught courses in the education doctoral program at Hagerstown. Aside from his teaching contributions in the department of Visual Arts, Harlowe actively served on departmental and University committees, such as the African American Studies Steering Committee. Over the years, Harlowe also stepped in to teach classes at a moment’s notice in emergency situations. He was always willing to help and make an active and positive contribution to the department. He served as a tireless mentor to individual students and campus arts organization greatly enhancing the creative life of FSU. Harlowe’s warm demeanor, humor, and collegiality will be particularly missed by his colleagues. Greg Latta, Professor of Physics and affectionately known to his colleagues and friends as El Greco, served FSU and the Department of Physics and Engineering for 33 years. Greg continuously pushes his own understanding of the physical world around him and brought an engaging, learner-first style to every lesson both in class and around the hallways of Tawes Hall and Compton Science Center. An avid stamp-collector, Greg put his stamp on courses at all levels: including cosmic concepts, general physics, experimental physics, classical mechanics, and math physics. He mentored several upper-level projects and capstones in physics and engineering in areas such as optics and electronics.

Greg's impact extended well beyond teaching. A performer and renaissance man in every sense, Greg has shared his gifts with the campus and community for years. Greg is a singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist known for his award-winning hammered dulcimer play at college and university holiday events and celebrations. He has been a mainstay as an MC and performer for the annual Appalachian Festival since it began in 2006. Greg is also longtime host and producer of the show "Just Plain Folks" on the university NPR Radio Station WFWM. His acumen as teacher and performer have earned him regular invites to local schools to talk physics and perform for kids of all ages.

Greg is a volunteer National Weather Service observer, maintaining an information webpage that includes weather data going back to 1997. He oversees the Compton weather station and webcam, which Greg keeps fixed on FSU's iconic clock tower for university alums and friends to see at any time. Greg has a machine shop at home and has used it to build several scale model engines and pieces of radio equipment for his amateur Ham radio station, which he used to complete a Moon bounce (a long-time dream of his). Greg engages in, and transitions easily across, these and many other pursuits including astronomy, photography, and videography. Greg has even started a YouTube channel which includes photos, videos, and audio he has produced with his own equipment and instruments.

The list goes on and on, and Greg will continue adding to it in retirement, including taking up sailing and acting. Most especially, Greg looks forward to returning to something he hasn't been able to do since back before his days in graduate school: vacationing in fall time with his loving wife Teddy. So to close, with what has been central to his career, borrowing Greg's own words from his model engineering and mechanical engineering webpage having "made virtually every mistake in the book possible... This is fine, since it is through mistakes that we learn." Well said, El Greco, and enjoy retirement!

I P A G E 4

Theater Alumnus to Open Broadway Play Keenan Scott II’s play Thoughts of a Colored Man has officially landed a venue – the Golden Theatre – becoming the first new, non-revival show to take up Broadway residence since the industry’s pandemic shutdown last March.

The play, which enjoyed critically acclaimed runs in 2019 at Syracuse Stage and Baltimore Center Stage, will be directed by Steve H. Broadnax III. Producing are Brian Moreland, Ron Simons, Diana DiMenna, Samira Wiley, Sheryl Lee Ralph, The Shubert Organization, and The Nederlander Organization.

Casting, first preview, opening night, and ticket information will be announced in the coming weeks.

Unfolding during the course of a single day in Brooklyn, Thoughts of a Colored Man chronicles the lives of seven Black men as they confront and discuss any number of issues facing their community. The play utilizes spoken word, slam poetry, and rhythm, and will mark the Broadway debuts of playwright Scott and director Broadnax. Both are Black men arriving on New

York’s theater scene as calls for diversity and inclusion throughout the industry intensify.

“Keenan’s play has been one of my favorite journeys,” said Moreland in a statement. “From our very first reading in 2017, his voice was raw, pure, and honest for our world today. Steve’s direction brings unbridled tenderness to the experience of the contemporary Black male with a full range of humanity. More than ever, it is vital for Broadway and theaters across America to make room for the next generation of theater makers: to celebrate their communities, to feel their heartache, and to hear the stories they are ready to tell. The entire producing team is humbled to play a small role in bringing Keenan Scott II and Steve H. Broadnax III to Broadway.”

Robert Hupp, the Syracuse Stage artistic director, said, “Thoughts of a Color Man demonstrates the important role non-profit regional theater plays in the ecology of Broadway. Syracuse Stage, along with Baltimore Center Stage, was proud to premiere Thoughts of a Colored Man. Giving this play its first artistic home was a distinct honor, and we are thrilled to know Keenan’s

powerful work will be among the first productions to reopen Broadway. It is the right play for right now.”

More information can be found at: https://thoughtsofacoloredman.com/.

Above,: FSU graduate Andrew Haberkorn, le , explains the innova ve vision behind his VR modeling

system at the virtual Electronic Imaging Conference, and a virtual scenario with mul ple 3D objects

created directly by two hands using the proposed VR modeling system.

CSIT Professor, Alumnus Present at Virtual International Electronic Imaging Conference On Jan. 27, Andrew Haberkorn ’20 and his advisor Dr. Xunyu Pan, an associate professor in FSU’s Department of Computer Science and Information Technologies, presented their research paper, “Interactive 3D Modeling with Virtual Reality,” at the international 33rd Electronic Imaging Conference, this year held online. In this paper, the authors proposed a VR modeling system named “The Virtual Workshop” supporting the design and manipulation of 3D objects in virtual environments. The ultimate goal of this project is to provide an open platform where the industrial designers and their clients can better share their ideas, as well as interactively refine the rendered virtual models in collaboration.

Haberkorn earned his bachelor’s in computer science from FSU. He is a member of the Upsilon Phi Epsilon International Honors Society and the National Society of Leadership and Success.

P A G E 5 I C L A S N E W S

FSU Program Ranked 19th in Nation for Addictions Studies

FSU’s Emphasis in Addic ons Counseling has been recognized by Addic on Counselor as one of the top Bachelor’s‐level addic ons counseling programs in the US, ranking FSU’s program as 19th in the country. This emphasis program provides the academic requirements students need to become a Cer fied Associate Counselor – Alcohol and Drug in the state of Maryland. Specifically, this program guides students to complete the educa onal requirements set forth by the Maryland Board to become cer fied as an addic ons counselor at the Bachelor’s level.  This emphasis is open to majors in Psychology and Social Work.

 

Center for Design and Manufacturing Planned in Frostburg Business Park

FSU senior art student Will Baxter has wanted to be a professional artist since visiting Disney World when he was 5 years old. He was named special “artist of the day” by a street illustrator and had the chance to sketch with an official Disney artist.

A resident of Cumberland, Baxter is taking that next step to fulfilling his dream of becoming a professional artist. He recently won an international competition and has been offered an exclusive two-year deal with the Illustration Room, an Australia-based design company producing artwork commissions for businesses, websites, games, apps, magazines, books, advertising, marketing and PR agencies.

Baxter, a Bachelor of Fine Arts student with a focus in illustration and sculpture with a graphic arts minor, answered the worldwide “callout” from the Aussie agency for new artists to present a professional children’s book concept, which would include three full-page spreads, character designs and

development drawings. He submitted works with a Halloween theme, beating out several hundred submissions from around the globe. He based his entries on a concept he had previously created at FSU for Professor of Illustration and Drawing Jamison Odone, who recommended Baxter for the competition.

“My final submission included two magic school student characters, a little cat witch and a small goat wizard journeying through a haunted forest to retrieve forbidden spells from an old warlock’s cabin,” Baxter explains. “The illustrations turned out to be some of the best work I’d ever done.”

Visual Arts Student Wins International Design Contest

Wildlife Program Ranked 5th in U.S. for Value

design and development, technology commercialization, and manufacture. The center will eventually host training and workshops for the local community on the use of advanced software and equipment.

“We plan to engage students in real-world, cutting-edge product design,” said Jamil Abdo, Physics and Engineering Chair. “Our long-term objective is to excel as a premier center of product design and development for industry in the region.”

FSU was recently featured by Best Value Schools as 5th in the nation for its Wild-life Biology degree program. The organization provides resources for students who are looking to further their education in selecting a degree program. For more infor-mation, visit https://www.bestvalueschools.org/wildlife-biology-degree/.

The Department of Physics and Engineering is planning to establish a Center for Product Design and Manufacturing in the Allegany Business Center industrial park.

Funding is being sought from the Appalachian Regional Commission for phase 1 of the project, to be focused on product design and additive manufacturing.

The overall goal is to support industrial innovation through product design, prototyping, and manufacturing. The center will utilize the technical expertise of faculty, staff, and students to support businesses of all sizes in prototype

In today’s virtual world, staying connected can be a challenge. Through partnerships and the assistance of Raye Maguire, the Communication Leadership Lab has made a number of efforts to bring people together in this now familiar online space to remind everyone of the power of civil discussion and strategic messaging in these divided times. Maguire, a Communications Studies major with a minor in Marketing, is studying rhetoric with a focus on political and digital messaging. She is passionate about the use of communication and technology to create social impact and drive change. From being the Communication Leadership Lab Assistant, she hoped to gain insight into how communications could be used to create dialogue around sensitive topics and how community partnerships impact communication work.

One of the first steps the Communication Leadership Lab took was in the hopes of getting people thinking about difficult conversations. Last semester, the Communication Department hosted two virtual discussions about what the department should strive for moving forward in its mission to create an anti-biased environment. This semester, the most impactful outcomes from those discussions and were turned into a social media campaign that ran through March, #BobcatsAgainstBias. These posts discussed why the outcomes were important and aimed to get followers thinking about how they could act on them and how the department could champion these efforts. Social media was also used to celebrate diversity by highlighting significant progress of those who have contributed to social justice efforts for people of color and women during Black History and Women’s History months. As an extension of its continuing Anti-Bias efforts, the Communication Leadership Lab hosted a virtual session in April called “What is Allyship?” The discussion asked the question of what it means to be an ally today and opened the door for participants to share their insights and experiences around this sensitive topic.

The Communication Leadership Lab, in partnership with Allegany County’s Choose Civility chapter, launched a podcast to emphasize listening. This year the lab released its debut episode, “Communication Leadership in 2021: Walking the Civility Talk,” featuring current and returning community members, including students and alumni. The session featured Nikita Hall, Allegany College of Maryland student; Trevor Jones ’17, legislative aide and communications director for Baltimore County Councilman Julian Jones; Renee Mason ’16, Arts and Graphics coordinator for the Allegany County Library System; Juli McCoy, executive director of the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce; Raye Maguire, Communication Studies major and Communication Leadership Lab assistant; Cynthia Smith, University Police chief; and Ashley Swinford, director of Marketing and Outreach for the Allegany County Library System. Drs. Elesha L. Ruminski and John Lombardi collaborated with Allegany County Library System and Leadership Allegany! alumni members to create the podcast. Listen to the episode at https://youtu.be/0ZB9JeQV_io?list=PLYEHZVMCUkfRysby6tEz0VO2WIuXDVXom and learn more about the Allegany County Choose Civility chapter at https://www.alleganycountylibrary.info/choose-civility.

As this semester began to wind down, the Communication Leadership Lab was proud to join some of its partners in celebrating the Day of Civility, which focuses on spreading kindness, building understanding, and supporting civil discourse throughout the community. This started with a virtual community dialogue, titled “Eat. Learn. Council.” This discussion was a part of Western Maryland Food Council’s three-day conference dedicated to growing a healthy food system in a pandemic world and was in partnership with Allegany College of Maryland’s Democracy Commitment Committee. Later that evening, the FSU Communication Leadership Lab, in conjunction with Allegany College of Maryland’s Democracy Commitment Committee, FSU’s Debate Team, FSU’s LEAD 401 Citizen Leadership class, as well as The Hustings civil discourse online publication, co-sponsored a Braver Angel’s debate. This national non-profit is dedicated to civil debate across political lines and came to discuss the topic “Should Government Provide Healthcare for All Citizens?” The principles of civility guided this engaging discussion and sparked inspirational discourse that created a fruitful debate focused on discussion rather than winning. The debate can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvBeUmzaXCo.

Additionally, the Lab supported the annual leadership residency program. At the end of March, the Lab hosted a virtual leadership residency roundtable, "Why Not Non-Profit? 3 Local Leaders Discuss the Relevance of Non-profit Leadership Today." This event, a partnership of the Leadership Studies minor and the Department of Management, brought together three local leaders, Leah Shaffer of the Community Trust Foundation, Julie Westendorff of the Allegany Arts Council, and Jennifer Walsh of The Greater Cumberland Committee, to discuss issues such as Zoom fatigue and supporting one another. The session recording is available for viewing at https://youtu.be/9UVw6oVAhlg.

For more information about events or possible collaboration with the Communication Leadership Lab, contact Dr. Elesha L. Ruminski, elruminski@frostburg.edu, professor of Communication Studies and coordinator of the Lab and the Leadership Studies minor. More information on the Lab activities, visit https://www.frostburg.edu/academics/colleges-and-departments/department-of-communication/frostburg-dialogue/home.php.

I P A G E 6

Communication Leadership Lab Hosts Anti-Bias Discussions, Day of Civility, and Non-Profit Leadership Events By Raye Maguire, Communication Leadership Lab Assistant

P A G E 7 I C L A S N E W S

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS & SCIENCES 241 COMPTON SCIENCE CENTER FROSTBURG STATE UNIVERSITY 101 BRADDOCK ROAD FROSTBURG, MD 21532-2303

301.687.4120 PHONE 301.687.3084 FAX www.frostburg.edu/colleges/clas

CONTACTS Dr. Thomas Kim Hixson Dean, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences tkhixson@frostburg.edu 301.687. 4120 Dr. Cindy E. Herzog Associate Dean, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences CHerzog@frostburg.edu 301.687.4142 Dr. Keith Terry Assistant Dean, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences KTerry@frostburg.edu 301.687.7020

Have any interesting news items about faculty, staff, or students in your department? Submit them to Linda Steele (lsteele@frostburg.edu) for the next issue.

James Saku, Department of Geography, is profiled in a publica on by American Geographical Society tled “Celebra ng Black Geographers: 1900‐2000 cohort. “ This anthology provides a single source database of the contri‐bu ons of Black Geographers to their discipline. For more informa on, visit h ps://americangeo.org/black‐geographers‐1900‐2000/

CSIT Department Hosts Virtual Programming Competition The Computer Science & Information Technologies Department will hosted its 5th Annual Programming Competition on May 1 this year. Online for the first time, this contest challenges student problem solving using Java brain-teasers and practice problems. Approximately 30 students of varying skill levels were expected to attend, with past participants including individuals from West Virginia University and Garrett College. With IBM sponsoring, students get to meet professionals and enjoy a day of code with them while practicing their own code.

Music Professor Produces Research, Award-Winning Composition, and Much More During Pandemic

Dr. Scott Rieker has had a busy spring semester. He was lead author on a mixed-methods research

project entitled “COVID and the Choral Educator, “ which explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on choral music education, provided strategies for educator professional development, and was published in the February edition of the Choral Journal. His composition, Ted Kooser Suite—a five-movement musical work for SATB choir, speaker, piano, string quartet, and trumpet, based on five texts by former US Poet Laureate, Ted Kooser—was named a semi-finalist in the American Prize in Composition, Choral Music division. Rieker’s composition, “’Famous’ Last Words”—a humorous send-up of the elegy genre, setting rather ignominious last words for SATB choir and piano—was a winner of the Missoula Community Chorus’s “The Way Through” composition contest. This contest was open to compositions written during the COVID-19 pandemic and features a premiere performance and a cash prize. At the end of February, musicians from the FSU community performed Some Fruits of COVID, a concert of 10 works written by Dr. Rieker during the first 10 months of the pandemic.

In March, Dr. Rieker was a presenter at the Maryland Music Educators Association (MMEA) Annual

Professional Development Conference, presenting “A Bigger Table: Intentionally Diverse Choral Repertoire” Rieker is also serving on the MMEA Strategic Planning Committee as the Western Maryland representative. At the end of March, the FSU choirs will perform L’Chaim: A Jewish Composers Showcase concert, featuring the remarkable music of well- and little-known Jewish composers from the last five hundred years. This concert is presented in collaboration with B’er Chayim synagogue in Cumberland. On March 30th, the Mid-Atlantic Southern Intercollegiate Choral Association, which Dr. Rieker founded in 2020, will host Dr. Felicia Barber for a presentation on the spiritual and diversity, equity, and inclusion considerations in choral music. At the end of April, the FSU choirs will collaborate with the FSU percussion ensemble to perform Bernstein’s masterpiece, Chichester Psalms, as well as other repertoire and a Maryland premiere of a work by FSU composition, percussion, and music industry professor, Dr. Mackenzie LaMont.

Rieker has also been named Music Director at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. The Sacred Music Internship at Emmanuel entered its second year in August, and a similar internship was started at Divine Mercy Catholic Parish, which Rieker helps to coordinate. Rieker is arranging music for an upcoming ordination of a Western Maryland native to the Catholic priesthood in June.